We’ve been slow on the update, but heres a couple pictures from our staff Christmas party we thought you might enjoy! We decided to go bowling and what a fun night it was! The girls are looking good with their temoporary new do’s, don’t you think? Especially that mysterious lady with the blonde curls…;) Althought she is looking a little blue… Hehe

The RR staff XO

There will also be live music and hot chocolate by donation, as well as a sale on all gift items and used books in the bookstore! So please come and take part in this fun event and visit with Father Christmas… If you’re good, he might just give you what you asked for this Christmas!

Currently, we are showcasing the amazing work of E. Dennison. After a trip to Cuba, she has come back with some great photos depicting the Cuban lifestyle.

If any of these prints interest you, or if you would like to see more, please come on down to The Reading Room Cafe!

We are also always on the lookout for new artists, and will be ready for a new showcase in October. If you would like to see your art here, please contact us at readingroom@shaw.ca

On May 21st, the Reading Room Cafe was host to the Japan Disaster Relief Fundraiser in Sooke. Admission was $10 at the door, and with the amazing support of the community, the cafe reached capacity. All the proceedings of the event were donated to the Red Cross to help aid Japan disaster survivors. In the afernoon, the event kicked off with Face painting for kids,

an appearance by Mrs. Canada, Kelly Robbins (pictured here with Tomoko Votour) and massages by Meg Peterson.

Later in the evening, there were Hors d’ouevres, sushi, and beverages served and live music by the Pajama Beatniks (featuring the cafe’s own Elena Christians and her husband, Bernie Radelfinger).

A huge thanks to all the Sooke Businesses who donated door prizes to the event and helped make it possible: Video To Go, Sushi by the Sea, Bees Knees, Seaflora, Judy Thompson Shiatsu massage, Pure Elements, Lee Hindrichs reflexology, Cake Inspirations, and Saltspring Coffee.

We would also like to thank everyone who came to the event and helped us raise close to $1000!

Please come down to support local authors and a global cause!

Part of the proceeds of the book will be donated to www.whitelionshomeland.org to help support the almost extinct White Lions of Africa.

You can visit the books website at www.whitelionschildrensbook.org

Ahimsa Yoga is located:

6653 Sooke Rd. Sooke BC (250-642-YOGA)

Hey all!

We are currently revamping our site to give it a fresh new look! Please bare with us as we iron out the fine details, and in no time we will have a fabulous new site!

Thank-you for you patience

-The Reading Room Staff

Father Christmas Visits the Reading Room in Sooke

In the true Spirit of Christmas….

In a beautiful gesture indicative of the Season of giving, this is the second year Tom Handford has played Father Christmas here at the Reading Room.

He does it for the children and for free.

From Wikipedia, the difference between Father Christmas and Santa Claus:

In the English-speaking world, the character called “Father Christmas” influenced the development in the United States of Santa Claus, and in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, most people now consider them to be interchangeable, although “Santa Claus” is traditionally considered wrong in the United Kingdom, with “Father Christmas” the preferred name. However, although “Father Christmas” and “Santa Claus” have for most practical purposes been merged, historically the characters have different origins and are not identical. Some authors such as C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, have insisted on the traditional form of Father Christmas in preference to Santa Claus.

And back to the Reading Room: His wife Susan made the costume (isn’t it beautiful) and took these pictures.  It really adds to the christmas atmosphere here.

From Kathe: It is very nice of him to do this event and I appreciate it enormously

And here we have it, straight from the owner…Here’s what to buy Kathe for Christmas…better start shopping lol

10.    Munch card from ‘Video to Go’

9.    The last book in the Steig Larrson trilogy that the bookstore ordered in for me.  (Hey, there has to be some benefits to owning a bookstore.)

  8.    A Punch Card from Seapark for their fitness programs

  7.    There is some silver jewelry that we have in the Cafe that I love.  It would be great to get a silver chain and pendant (the pendant with the word ‘goddess on it’.)  Anyone that knows me knows that I nearly always wear a goddess pendant.

  6.    A date night dinner at Markus’ Restaurant with my husband. 

  5.    A gift certificate for a night’s stay at the Sooke Harbour House during their yearly off season community deal.  Thank you Fredrique for making it possible for locals to enjoy your beautiful facilities.  (Maybe we could combine this with dinner at Markus’ and make it a very special occasion)

  4&3..  There are two things I would love to get from the South Shore Gallery.  I collect Charles Van Sandwyk books and this is the only place in Sooke to get them.  If you’ve never seen his illustrations you’ll have to go in and take a look.  They’re whimsical and beautiful. The other item I’m always looking at is the latest Linda Danielson doll.  They are exquisite.

     2.    Hello!!!!  A gift certificate for a manicure and a pedicure at Pure Elements.  There’s nothing nicer than having a glass of wine or a peach cider and relaxing while getting a pedicure.  This is one of the things I splurge on a couple of times a year.

   1.     I have been waiting for at least 10 years (I don’t want to embarrass him by telling you that it’s actually longer than that) to have my husband build me a bed.  He is an excellent cabinet maker (just look at all my cabinets, bookshelves and counters) and I have had this bed on my wish list year after year.  Unfortunately, he is nearly always busy making other people beautiful furniture or cabinets.  But who knows, maybe this is my lucky year. 

 ~ Kathe Drover is the Owner Operator of the Reading Room Bookstore and Cafe in beautiful Sooke, BC on Vancouver Island.